Who is the Highest Paid Soap Opera Star

If you are a loyal fan of daytime television, then you likely know the answer to this question: "Who is the highest paid soap opera star?"

Which soap stars cash in on being evil?

Finding Out Who is the Highest Paid Soap Opera Star

She is known as daytime’s leading lady, and is the only soap star able to generate more than seven million dollars per year for playing a femme fatale. When it comes to cashing in on being duplicitous, demurring and delicious, actress Susan Lucci is second to none.

Lucci has been playing Pine Valley's larger-than-life diva Erica Kane since All My Children debuted on television in 1970. While network executives refuse to publicly disclose Lucci's salary, sources close to the actress report that she earns between seven to eight million dollars per year, and devoted fans will tell you that she is worth every penny.

While they don’t have exact figures to go on, both the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times have cited Lucci as being the highest-paid actor on daytime television. The brunette stunner’s extensive tenure on the popular ABC soap has made her an icon in Hollywood, and she is often referred to as the "face of daytime television."

Lucci's salary got a boost in 1999 when after 18 failed nominations she finally scored a daytime Emmy award for best actress. In 2000 there were rumors that "La Lucci" was preparing to walk away from All My Children to pursue other interests. However, instead of bidding farewell to the role that made her a household name, the actress was able to negotiate time off without taking a substantial salary cut.

Other High Paid Soap Stars

While she is considered the ultimate diva of daytime TV, Susan Lucci is not the only soap opera star making a huge sum of cash. Other members of soap opera’s elite earning more than three million dollars a year, include:

• Tony Geary-—The soap veteran has been playing Luke Spencer on General Hospital on-and-off since 1978. He has won countless awards for his acting abilities and made television history during his on-screen wedding to Laura (played by Genie Francis). More than 30 million viewers tuned into to watch the fictional couple exchange wedding vows in 1981 making the episode the highest-rated hour in soap opera history.

• Erika Slezak-—Fans know her better as Victoria "Viki" Lord Davidson on One Life to Live. Slezak has won a record six Daytime Emmy Awards for her portrayal as the psychologically challenged principal character on the popular ABC soap.

• David Canary-—Susan Lucci's All My Children colleague David Canary has been playing the dual role of Adam and Stuart Chandler on the ABC soap since 1983. The award-winning actor (and Bonanza alum) is among daytime's legends and reportedly earns nearly five million dollars per year.

• Maurice Benard-—The Emmy award-winning actor has been playing sexy mobster Michael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. on the ABC soap opera General Hospital since 1993. Given that most soap stars with about 5-10 years experience earn less than $500,000 per year, Bernard's reported yearly income of two million dollars, makes him one of the highest paid actors on daytime TV.

How the Economy is Effecting Soap Stars' Salaries

Days of Our Lives veterans Drake Hogestyn (John Black) and Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) were among the highest paid soap stars. However, in November 2008 NBC announced that due to the economic downturn both legendary actors were being dismissed from the popular soap opera. Hall joined the show as Dr. Marlena Evans 32 years previously, while Hogestyn spent 22 years on the show.

NBC renewed the long-running daytime serial for a few more seasons, but significantly cut the amount of money it would pay for the show. As a result of their large salaries and the show’s budget cuts, Hall and Hogestyn were eliminated from the cast.

The economic crisis is causing real life drama for other soap stars as well. Budget cuts and layoffs have hit several popular daytime stars, including the higher paid members of soap's elite.

In December 2008, network executives announced that the salaries of All My Children regulars, including longtime stars Susan Lucci, Michael E. Knight and Ray MacDonnell would be reduced as part of a cost-cutting policy being applied to all three of ABC's soaps, including One Life to Live and General Hospital.

Executives wouldn't offer specifics, but insiders note that Lucci's salary cut will not affect her status as one of the richest women on TV. So, when answering the question: "Who is the highest paid soap opera star?," the answer remains: Susan Lucci..

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